Prep football preview 2017
Coach: Darren Sasse (5th year, 32-12) Last season’s record/playoff finish: 9-3/sub-state runner-up Returning starters: 7 offense, 6 defense Top returning players: Dalton Kuhn, 6-2, 230, sr., OL/DE; Avery Hawkins, 6-2, 240, sr., TE/ LB; Brett Meyer, 6-5, 180, sr., SE; Colton Hutchinson, 5-10, 160, sr., QB/DB; Camden Dietz, 6-2, 230, sr., OL; Austin Hobelmann, 6-2, 230, sr. OL; Jesse Staples, 6-0, 170, sr., RB/DB; Trace Haven, 5-10, 170, sr., LB; Colby Benoit, 5-10, 140, jr., DB. Team notes: If there was hype surrounding what the Redmen were capable of a season ago — 9-3 record and sub-state runner-up showing — there might be even more this year. Despite the fact Smith Center graduated eight seniors from the team, the Redmen return a wealth of experience on both sides. That includes arguably one of the best players in the state in Kuhn, also an accomplished Class 3-2-1A wrestler. Kuhn collected 85 tackles a season ago with 15 tackles for loss.
The Hays Daily News • Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017
E2
Smith Center Redmen
Also returning is Colton Hutchinson, the quarterback and son of longtime assistant coach Brock Hutchinson. Colton took over at quarterback after an injury to starter Thayne Benoit. Hutchinson, one of the top defensive backs in 2-1A, had 99 tackles and six pass break-ups from that spot a year ago. Smith Center has been close to returning to the state title game the last two seasons, and both sub-state losses have come to opponents they played twice in one season. Two years ago, the Redmen went 10-2 and suffered both their losses to eventual 2-1A and MCL foe Phillipsburg. Last season, a 9-3 mark, Smith Center lost twice to surprise 2-1A state runner-up Plainville. The Cardinals won the season opener 20-16, then shut out the Redmen, 14-0, to earn Plainville’s first spot in the state title round since 1985. Smith Center has made the playoffs in all but one year since 2003. That came when the Redmen were 5-4 in 2014. The Redmen will look to avenge all of their losses from a season ago in the first two weeks, getting both Plainville and Phillipsburg at home to start the year.
2017 schedule (*district game) Sept. 1................................................. vs. Plainville Sept. 8.............................................vs. Phillipsburg Sept. 15.........................................at TMP-Marian
Sept. 22.................................................. vs. Norton Sept. 29....................................................at Oakley Oct. 6........................................................... at Ellis
Oct. 13........................................vs. Sacred Heart* Oct. 20.................................. at Republic County* Oct. 27...............................................at Ell-Saline*